A pianist and organist, Fulmer shared her love of music in the Still Hopes Retirement Community where she lived, as well as in other parts of Columbia. She had battled cancer 12 years ago, and it led to the loss of her leg.

“When I woke up after the operation, I decided it wasn’t going to stop me,” Fulmer previously said. “I was going to get a chair to get around and get back to playing music.”

In 1977, Fulmer began volunteering by leading music groups at Still Hopes in West Columbia. She moved there in 1993. She began playing the organ for Sunday worship services, played the piano for residents on Sunday evenings, and provided background music for fashion shows, dog shows, talent shows and tea parties.

Her love of music began in the fifth grade. She later attended Winthrop College, majoring in music, and went on to become supervisor of music in Florence County Schools. After marrying Hoyt Fulmer Jr., she moved to Columbia and was organist and choir master at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

The next group of Health Care Heroes will be honored Oct. 3 in Columbia.